Section 40 Peer support servicesI1

The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 is amended as follows.

After section 12, insert—

“Other support for adoptions

Duty to promote peer support services

12A

(1)

Where peer support services are available in a local authority’s area for persons mentioned in section 1(3), the local authority must take reasonable steps to promote awareness of, and encourage the uptake of, such services by such persons throughout the adoption process and after any adoption has taken place.

(2)

In subsection (1), “peer support” means support in relation to adoption that is provided by persons with lived experience of the adoption process.”.